Update: November 30 – This offer is no longer available.
In October of last year, I noted that Microsoft had begun a campaign to tear down OpenOffice by focusing on what Microsoft considered the downside of working with OpenOffice. This struck me as a bit unusual – after all, why waste time on those who can’t hurt your sales. Unless, that is, OpenOffice, LibreOffice and similar open source office suites, are in fact, “real competition” for Microsoft.
It seems that may well be the case since Microsoft has now released Office Starter Edition 2010 (as a freebie), which includes Microsoft Word Starter 2010 and Microsoft Excel Starter 2010 – it does not include PowerPoint or Outlook. Both included components function almost the same as the full editions.
No need to worry about licensing issues either – Office Starter 2010 is not a trial version – it will not expire. On top of that, installing the application to a USB stick makes for the perfect (sort of), portable office.
Installation is an easy task – both application download and installation combine in a seamless single process.
Following installation you’ll find the application, and its components, neatly laid out in your “Start” menu as illustrated below.
Word Starter 2010 screenshot:
Excel Starter 2010 screenshot:
Fast facts:
Create and edit basic Word documents and Excel spreadsheets with 100 percent file fidelity
Open existing Word and Excel documents
Manage a simple home budget
Write letters
Create newsletters with photos and easily send them out
System requirements: Windows 7, Windows Vista with Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2 and MSXML 6.0 (32-bit Office only), Windows Server 2008, or later 32- or 64-bit OS.
Download Office 2010 Starter at: Microsoft
There is some discussion, at the moment, as to just how long this offer from Microsoft will continue to be available so, if you’re interested, now might be the time to jump on this.
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What is setupconsumerc2rolw.exe ?
Hi jSwann0,
setupconsumerc2rolw.exe is the download executable used to both download and install Office Starter Edition 2010.
I should have been clearer when I wrote “both application download and installation combine in a seamless single process.” Glad you brought this up. I’m sure other readers have had the same question.
Bill
The installer will not install on XP SP3, when attempting to install it states Vista SP1 or later. So much for the netbook install. :(
Hi William,
Yikes! I got the system requirements directly from Microsoft’s site. Can’t trust those guys in Redmond, I guess. :)
Thanks for letting me know.
Bill
Hi Bill,
BUT setupconsumerc2rolw.exe would not install on my fully patched WIN XP 32 bit machine, and leaves the following message:
“There was a problem setting up Microsoft Office Starter 2010.
This product requires Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 (SP1) or later operating system”
All the best
Georg
Hi Georg,
Major bummer! I’ve just heard about this from William.
As I said to him, I got the info directly from the MS site. Oh well – it’s not the first/last time that Microsoft has not gotten it quite right.
Thanks for pointing out the problem.
Best,
Bill
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nothing but issues with windows and there updates!!!!!! i will never buy a windows or microsoft product again….mac here i come!!
Kevin,
Not exactly the right place for your comment – is it?
Bill
Quick note, I read that this is for OEM only and not for the general public. If you want the link to where I got that from, just email me :)
Danielx64,
Quick note – that is no longer the case.
Bill
Thanks Bill. Appreciate all your help.
Regards,
Achugh
Hey Achugh,
Good to hear from you.
Best,
Bill
Hi Bill,
If on my laptop already installed with MS Office 2007, can I install together with the MS Starter 2010?
Thanks
Regards,
Anson
Hey Anson,
Sure – though they are related applications, they are not the same.
Bill
Bill,
Thanks on the explanation. It is really can be installed.
Anson
I am getting
” SERVER ERROR.
404 – File or directory not found.
The resource you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.”
When clicking on your link http://c2r.microsoft.com/consumerC2R/en-us/14.0.4763.1000/setupconsumerc2rolw.exe
Any idea why that would be?
Thanks, Angelina
Hey Angelina,
Microsoft has pulled the URL. I’m not entirely convinced that MS was aware the download URL was public.
Bill
haha, that was quick.
Server Error
404 – File or directory not found.
The resource you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.
Hi Clay,
You’re right – it didn’t take them long to pull the URL.
Bill
Hey Bill,
This is good news for me because “Free” is always good news. Microsoft should have done this a long time ago.
Thanks for the heads up
TeX
Hey TeX,
Well, it would be good news if the offer was still available. Unfortunately MS has pulled the download URL.
Typical MS – can’t see the forest for the trees.
Best,
Bill
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